Orono Land Trust

The Orono Land Trust is a local, non-profit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Its function is to encourage the presence of trails and open spaces in the Orono area.

Over its 30 plus years the OLT has matured as an organization, paralleling the growth of the national land conservation movement.  Conservation of important natural communities, habitats, and species, comprehensive stewardship of fee and easement properties, public education, and regional conservation planning all have been added to the initial interest in trails and connectivity.

Wetland conservation is an integral part of Orono Land Trust’s mission and Vernal Pool protection is part of that effort.  Several Board members, led by David and Pat Thompson, attended state and local informational meetings about Vernal Pools and encouraged Land Trust volunteers to participate in Orono’s Vernal Pool inventory.  In turn, state, university, and town members provided the Land Trust with information about the SAMP program and the Trust’s Board, given their keen interest in Vernal Pools, enthusiastically agreed to work with the Town on a pilot program.

The Orono Land Trust participated in the Town’s comprehensive planning effort and supports appropriate development and conservation efforts.  As a third party in the SAMP effort, the Trust has an opportunity to participate in both these activities. The Trust has the capabilities to ensure that the Vernal Pool conservation efforts are conducted in a thoughtful, professional way.  In addition, the synergism between the Town and Land Trust promotes future joint conservation and recreation activities.

The Land Trust’s greatest concern about joining the SAMP program was one of time commitment.  As an all-volunteer Land Trust, Board members are extremely busy and we needed to ensure that we had the capacity to do the work.  Although the Trust is managing numerous wetland mitigation parcels, the Vernal Pool effort fit nicely into that activity. The Trust established a permanent Wetlands Committee to oversee these properties, including all reporting requirements, financial obligations, and stewardship activities.  Further, the Trust has worked with the Town to ensure that there will be adequate funds to cover acquisition of pools and upland habitat and to cover stewardship costs.

Orono Land Trust, PO Box 4, Orono ME 04473, OronoLandTrust@gmail.com

Pat Thompson, President of Orono Land Trust, President@oronolandtrust.org